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Effect of an individualised training programme during weight reduction on body composition: a randomised trial
  1. Josef Schwingshandla,
  2. Karl Sudib,
  3. Brigitte Eibla,
  4. Silvia Wallnera,
  5. Martin Borkensteina
  1. aDepartment of Paediatrics, University of Graz, A-8036 Graz, Austria, bDepartment of Sport Sciences, University of Graz
  1. Dr Schwingshandl. email: Josefs{at}Styria.co.at

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To study the effect of a standardised training programme focusing on maintenance of fat free mass during weight reduction by energy reduction in obese children.

DESIGN Randomised trial of physical training programme and dietary advice (group A) versus dietary advice alone (group B).

SUBJECTS Thirty obese children and adolescents (14 group A, 16 group B) participated in the 12 week long programme; 20 children (10 group A, 10 group B) were also reassessed after one year.

MEASUREMENTS Fat free mass was estimated from the resistance index, obtained by bioelectrical impedance analysis at baseline, after four, eight, and 12 weeks in all subjects, and after one year in 20 subjects.

RESULTS The mean (SD) change in fat free mass was significantly different between the two groups after 12 weeks (group A, 2.68 (3.74) kg; group B, 0.43 (1.65) kg). The change in body weight after one year was inversely correlated with the change in fat free mass after 12 weeks (r = −0.44), as assessed in the 20 subjects.

CONCLUSIONS A standardised training programme as used in this study can prevent reduction in fat free mass during weight loss in obese children. Reduction in fat free mass during weight reduction might be a risk factor for regain of weight.

  • training programme
  • obesity
  • body composition

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Obesity is an ongoing problem in paediatric and adolescent health care. In previous work we identified reduction in fat free mass during rapid weight loss by energy reduction as a major factor for later regain in weight.1 Our present study aimed to: evaluate a standardised training programme for maintenance of fat free mass during weight reduction; and study the effect of changes in fat free mass during weight reduction on the long term outcome. Resistance training has been shown to be effective in increasing strength in children.2 There is limited information as to whether muscle growth (hypertrophy) can be induced in obese children.

Subjects

Thirty children consented to participate in the study and were assigned to two groups at random: group A (six boys, eight girls; mean (SD) age, 11.0 (2.5) years; mean standard deviation score for body mass index (BMI-SDS), 5.58 (2.46)) received standardised dietary advice for weight reduction by a dietitian at baseline and after four, eight, and 12 weeks of the study. In addition, subjects participated in a training programme twice weekly. Group B (seven boys, nine girls; mean age, 12.2 (2.7) years; mean BMI-SDS, 5.33 (1.79)) had the dietary intervention only.

Methods

BODY COMPOSITION

Body composition was estimated from bioelectrical impedance analysis. Measurements were performed at baseline and after four, eight, and 12 weeks. Total body resistance was measured by a bioelectrical impedance analyser (Akern-RJL BIA 101/S) in supine position as described previously.1 Fat free mass was estimated from the resistance index (RI), height, and age of the subject using the equations given by Shaefer et al(fat free mass (kg) = 0.15 + 0.65 × RI +  0.68 × age (years)).3 These equations have been established for the paediatric age range (3.9–19.3 years) by validating fat free mass predicted by bioelectric impedance analysis against a potassium dilution technique. However, these equations have not been evaluated for our population and no impedance predictions for Austrian children exist.

To assess the repeatability of our measurements, bioelectric impedance analysis was performed in 36 non-obese children with type I diabetes (22 boys, 14 girls; mean age, 12.3 years; SD, 2.6; range, 8.0–17.5) on two days spaced two weeks apart. The mean (SD) differences between the two measurements were 8.47 (30.44) ohms for resistance and 0.28 (1.64) kg for fat free mass.

DIETARY INTERVENTION

Both groups participated in the same dietary education programme. General dietary advice was given by group teaching. This included: energy requirements; relation of the different nutrients (protein, fat, and carbohydrates) in a balanced diet (20%/30%/50% of total energy); and the importance of fibre, vitamins, minerals, and fluids.

Energy intake was restricted to 4180 kJ/day in both groups; children older than 14 years were restricted to 5016 kJ/day (girls) and 5852 kJ/day (boys).

All participants received written information regarding an energy restricted, balanced diet, and detailed information of the daily allowance of each food component to avoid over consumption.

At each visit (at baseline; after four, eight, and 12 weeks; and after 6 and 12 months) each participant received dietary re-education on an individual basis.

TRAINING PROGRAMME

According to the recommendations of the committee on sports medicine,4 we established an individualised training programme. The use of proper technique and moderate intensity has been shown to be crucial in strength training with children.4The use of lighter loads than those used by adults,5 and proper supervision and instruction should help to minimise the risk of injury during participation in resistance training.6

Training sessions took place twice weekly in a public gym, with a duration of approximately 60–70 minutes for each session. After a warm up period on either a stationary bike, treadmill, or rowing ergometer, and a light stretch, each child performed two sets out of the following exercises: lying leg press; seated leg extensions and leg curls; seated bench press; lat pulldown to the front and long pulley row; seated shoulder press; triceps pushdowns and triceps extension at the dips machine; dumbbell biceps curls; calf raises seated and crunches. All exercises except dumbbell biceps curls were done on weightstacking machines (Galaxy-Sport, Carspach, France), in which resistance can be increased gradually.

The volume (number of sets performed during training sessions) increased after two weeks, working up to as many as three to four sets for each exercise. Intensity, expressed as a “10 repetition maximum” (10 RM)—the maximum load the child could perform 10 repeats with—was adapted during the time course of strength gain. Sets were pyramided: starting with a light set (50% of the 10 RM), with each following set using a slightly higher load. Only the last set was performed until muscle failure.

If the child was able to perform more than 10 repetitions in the final set, the resistance was increased for the next training session.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Statistical analysis was performed using the software package SAS 6.10 for Windows (SAS Institutes, Cary, North Carolina, USA).7 Methods used were paired comparisons t test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, and Spearman’s correlation coefficient. p Values of 0.05 or less were considered significant.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

All patients and one parent gave fully informed written consent to participate in our study. The study was approved by the local ethics committee.

Results

Tables 1 and 2 give patients’ characteristics at baseline and after 12 weeks. In group A, changes in BMI-SDS and fat free mass were significant, whereas weight change was not significant. In group B only BMI-SDS changed significantly, whereas changes in weight and fat free mass were not significant. The mean (SD) change in fat free mass was significantly different between the two groups (group A, 2.68 (3.74) kg; group B, 0.43 (1.65) kg; p = 0.015) (fig 1).

Table 1

Characteristics at baseline and after 12 weeks (group A)

Table 2

Characteristics at baseline and after 12 weeks (group B)

Figure 1

Changes in fat free mass (mean and SD) during the first 12 weeks.

The change in fat free mass after 12 weeks was inversely correlated with changes in body weight after one year (r = −0.44; p = 0.05), as assessed in the 20 subjects (fig 2).

Figure 2

Effect of changes in fat free mass on change in body weight after one year.

Discussion

We found that a standardised resistance training programme adapted for obese children and adolescents significantly increased percentage fat free mass during weight reduction when compared with energy reduction only. An increase in fat free mass during weight reduction was weakly associated with a better long term outcome with respect to body weight.

Exercise has been part of most weight reduction programmes for obese children and adolescents.8 However, exercise mostly consisted of aerobic exercise such as swimming, jogging, playing soccer, etc. Those types of exercise increase energy expenditure during exercise but have no or little effect on resting energy expenditure. A reduction in resting energy expenditure after weight loss is the main risk factor for later regain of weight.9-11 Resting energy expenditure is closely related to fat free mass in obese children.12 Therefore, our study aimed to prevent reduction in resting energy expenditure after weight loss by a training programme focused on increasing fat free mass. Indeed, this training did succeed in increasing fat free mass during weight reduction.

In summary, our study indicates that a weight reduction programme accompanied by a training programme focusing on increasing fat free mass should be investigated further in an attempt to improve the long term outcome of childhood and adolescent obesity.

Acknowledgments

We thank the “Fit For Life” Gym in Graz for providing the equipment during the training period.

References